Polly Mertice Howell

Mrs. Howell was born March 25, 1931 in Toombs County, GA. She was a graduate of Toombs Central High School. In 1951, she married Archie Curtis Howell from Toombs County, GA.

Mrs. Howell had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Darien since 1963. She had been a faithful Sunday School Teacher, choir member and youth mentor in the church. She was Co-owner and accountant for the Western Auto in Darien, GA with Archie Howell until their retirement in May 1990, after which she continued her accounting and real estate business. Mrs. Howell’s interests included cooking and entertaining her family, fishing and reading.

She is survived by three daughters: Denise Parker (Alan), Elaine Rankin, Nora Jessup (Steve Jessup); two sons Archie Howell Jr. (Wendy Smith Howell) and Carey Howell (Melanie); 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; a brother, Roy Spivey (Jo) as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Archie Curtis Howell, parents Ivey W. Spivey and Mary Lee Sapp Spivey, eight siblings, an infant son, a grandson, Stephen D. Jessup II., a granddaughter, Mary Grace Howell and Son-in-law Perry Rankin.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the First Baptist Church of Darien with Dr. Jack Peeler officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until the time of the service. Graveside Services will be 3:00 pm at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery in Lyons, GA.

Pallbearers: Trey Howell, Will Howell, Clete Jessup, Buck Robinson, Richard Hendricks, Bobby Summerlin, Matt Boone, Kelly Coursey.

Honorary Pallbearers Rainbow Sunday School Class; Special thanks to her two loving and faithful care-givers, Billie Jo Todd and Maragret Green.

Arrangements are entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. www.edomillerandsons.com